The Trap
By Fiona Kelly McGregor
Sydney, Pan Macmillan, 2026
RRP $34.99
Multidisciplinary writer, artist and critic Fiona Kelly McGregor’s latest book, The Trap, is set in 1942 and based on historical events in Gadigal/Sydney during World War II, at the time of the submarine attacks by Japanese forces.
It tells the story of two police constables who entrap gay men by soliciting them for sex. Homosexuality was illegal on Gadigal land at that time. Parallel to this is the story of Ray and Henry, two brothers involved in the clandestine grog trade.
The prequel, Iris, was nominated for a series of prestigious awards. McGregor’s novel Indelible Ink received the Age Book of the Year award. Their non-fiction Buried Not Dead, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, along with the photo-essay, A Novel Idea.
The book was launched in Gadigal on March 30, ahead of the Trans Day of Visibility, at Sean and Dolly’s in Woolloomooloo, near Kings Cross. The venue was packed with about 100 fans and members of the LGBTIQ community.
Mark Gillespie spoke at the launch. Being a 78er, he is no stranger to police violence against the LGBTIQ community and was also recently assaulted by police at the protest on February 9 against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit.
Gillespie’s speech was enlightening and harrowing. He said it was “not since that Mardi Gras [of 1978] had I seen or experienced such brutality by NSW Police”.
He said that it’s “auspicious, the timeliness of this novel, exposing the reality of NSW Police brutality. At a time when we’re turning back … to authoritarianism.”
Gillespie was resolute that “if people like you and me don’t stand up at this moment and take our lead from creatives that want to speak at writer’s festivals, but can’t, who are we to take our lead from?”
McGregor told the launch that “to have friendships across the borders of gender and race, especially among queer people, are so important, because that’s how we get stronger and smarter, and these bonds are what we need to make community”.